Let's throw Obito under the bus

Opening my eyes I got off of Obito, he looked fine and hopefully his hearing was ok. 

holding my hand up next to my ear I snapped my fingers, yep my hearing shot. Obito is probably damaged if not just as messed up as mine. 

Turning my attention towards the source of the blast I assessed the damage. I'm definitely in trouble so at the very least I'd like to know how much damage my seal did.

Hopping over a tree that was torn from its roots I walked over. all the nearby trees were completely destroyed with the ones still mostly intact either in large chunks or ripped from the ground.

All things considered, I was honestly pretty happy about the test. sure it's only a matter of time before someone shows up and I get in trouble but these things happen. All I can do now is add a sound damping seal to my to do list.

I didn't have to wait long before Shinobi showed up. They tried asking me questions but it is kind of hard when you can't hear. 

Seems Obito still has his hearing, hopefully he dosen't say anything stupid.

Walking up to a Shinobi I tapped him, "can you take me to the hospital!" The Shinobi looked to another before nodding.

We were taken to the hospital. The two of us put in our own room where I got my hearing back. 

Ok so healing with chakra seems too good not to learn so it's going on the list. This list is starting to get a little long but hey I have my whole life ahead of me.

Hopefully.

"Hey Obito."

"Yeah?"

"I don't think I'm going to be able to give you any of my seals."

"It's ok I don't think I want any."

Thats fair giving a bomb to a child was a stupid idea anyway.

The rest of our time was spent in silence. Obito was fidgeting around while I was trying to sleep. I wasn't too concerned from my understanding that Fuinjutsu practitioners are rare. Hopefully I get let off the hook with a slap on the wrist. 

Now obviously there has to be some form of punishment. You can't let a child off the hook when they do something that could have easily ended in their demise. So unfortunately I am but a humble child these days so they are not just gonna let me stew in my own self pity and call it a day. Then again I have no idea what is really going to happen. Sensei could walk through those doors ready to lecture me like a child.

Now that would just be insulting.

Actually that's probably a good guess as Sensei is my only figure of authority in my life right now. Or maybe I'm blowing everything out of portion and some schmuck is gonna come tell not to do that again 

Now that would just be disappointing.

The sound of the hospital room door opening awoke me from my failed slumber. Sitting up straight I checked to see if any of my predictions came true. 

Oh wow this is certainly unexpected.

"Hello Orochimaru-sama, nice to see you again." 

Ok who is this guy. I'm certain he is among the village elite like Sakumo but what kind of authority does that even give you? 

"Sozo-kun, I didn't expect to see you so soon I heard you had an accident," Orochimaru said with a small smile on his face as if he found this whole situation funny. 

"More like a miscalculation."

"Hmm? Enlighten me." Orochimaru asked curiously.

"Ok so the explosion was the result of a seal I made. I didn't think my seal was capable of producing that kind of power." 

Laying back down in a more relaxed state I remembered I still had to get Obito off the hook. 

"Orochimaru-sama."

"Yesss," did he really just do the whole snake thing. 

"Obito here isn't to blame, I just kinda dragged him along."

Turning to Obito, my pale friend said,"Is this true?"

Obito looked at me where I just nodded.

"Yes, Orochimaru-sama."

Orochimaru turned his gaze back to me before speaking again.

"You may leave Obito."

Obito took one last glance back at me before leaving the room.

With Obito gone, Orochimaru's smile widened as he took a seat on the bed next to mine. 

"Tell me Sozo, what's an intelligent aspiring Shinobi like you still doing in the Academy? I'm certain you're more than capable of graduating," Orochimaru said smile widening even further somehow.

"Is your smile supposed to be comforting? Because that's the stuff of nightmares my friend," I said ignoring his question.

Orochimaru didn't respond, the two of us just stared at each other. This guy definitely hijacked what was supposed to be a lecture followed by some kind of punishment but the question is why? 

You know what fuck it. I want answers. He's right here, we're alone now, this is a perfect chance to just ask.

"What do you want, Orochimaru? You're someone important that is obvious. the first time we met was a complete chance but this time you sought me out why?" Please don't give me some bullshit cryptic answer.

"Straight to the point I see and hear, I thought we could have a lovely conversation before addressing the matter at hand," Orochimaru said.

"Look, you're obviously here for something, just tell me." 

"I would like you to become my subordinate."

"Right now or after I graduate?"

"Today is my last day in the village so you have till sun down to decide."

"You said subordinate would that make me your student?"

"I suppose."

"Am I allowed to call you Orochimaru-sensei or simply just Sensei?"

"Yes,"

"Ok final question please answer this honestly. Why do you want me as your subordinate/student?"

"Honestly?"

"Yep and if you lie to me I promise I'll figure out the truth eventually so please tell me the truth."

Orochimaru took a moment to collect his thoughts as if he was weighing the pros and cons before deciding his next move.

"You intrigue me, you're not like any other Academy student I've seen. While you may not have Hatake Kakashi talent you clearly have something special about you. Your mind is suited for Fuinjutsu, you possess chakra reserves that are large for someone your age, you're a natural sensor, you already possess Genin level if not higher capabilities, Oh and we can't forget your unique biology. You're quite lucky Sozo-kun if not for Hatake Sakumo you'd already have been snatched up."

"Wait wait do you mean I'd been snatched up without Sakumo?" 

"The world's a dangerous place Sozo-kun and you have highly sought after qualities," with that last ominous statement Orochimaru walked out of the room. 

Wait, how am I supposed to contact him?

.

.

Orochimaru's offer was tempting plus I would get the added benefit of his protection from whoever was interested in me. He was upfront with his intentions I think? I am also interested in my unique biology and so is everyone else. At least this way I get some freedom of choice even if it's just an illusion of freedom. One way or another I'm going to be used, there's no feasible way around it. I already lucked out with Sakumo apparently. Guess that's why he pretty much adopted me. But I can no longer rely on him and if Orochimaru is to be believed, someone dangerous is just waiting to get their hands on me.

"Ok, it's decided," I said to myself.

"What's decided?" Said Orochimaru right behind me.

"Oh shit!" 

_____________________

There is a point in writing when you just gotta move on and not let yourself get trapped on one part. That point was three days ago but hey least it's out now.

The reason this chapter took so long was because of Orochimaru. This is not the Orochimaru from Chunin Exams, this is thirty years old, hasn't decided if bonds are worth the trouble Orochimaru. So this chapter went through a few drafts. 

Anyways hoped you enjoyed.